Evelyn Wynn Dr. Michael Williams ENGL 864: British Literature 1660-1900 June 17, 2014 Infatuation The theme of infatuation and how it influences the characters and plot throughout Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park is the driving force of the novel. Volume II is the ideal section of the novel to begin this discussion because there are several surprising turns in terms ofnarrative voice, scenes, staging, and play acting. Before we examine Volume II, it is important to note that Austen lays the foundation for infatuation in Volume I. Mary Crawford, in Chapter 5, is extremely interested in Fanny’s status as a young lady. While it is obvious to the reader that both sisters, Julia and Maria, are infatuated with Henry Crawford, Mary wants to know Fanny’s status because she may prove a possible threat to a rival for the attention of men. The question becomes ‘a threat for whom?’ Mary inquires: “I begin now to understand you all, except Miss Price,” . . . . “Pray, is she out, or is she not?—I am puzzled. —She dined at the parsonage, with the rest of you, which seemed like being out; and yet she says so little, that I can hardly suppose she is” (76). A young woman during this time period would be formally presented to society via some type of ball, and after this debut she would be admitted to social events. Mary’s concern about Fanny being "out" in society means that she may be competition for her in courting young men. After Austen establishes the theme of infatuation, the plot thickens in Volume II. Here, the author focuses on the treatment of infatuation which focuses more on the art of persuasion using little dialogue. This ‘down-playing’ of dialogue tends to make the reader fail to consider the couples’ relationships rhetorically. Rather, the processes of persuasion that Austen uses allow the characters to understand their own passions and influence the passions, understanding, imagination, and, most importantly, the will of others to act. One of the best examples of infatuation is Edmund’s obsession with Mary Crawford. Although it is clear that Edmund and Mary are not on the same page, he continues to pursue her. He recognizes early that Mary’s views are so different from his. Austen writes, “Edmund was sorry to hear Miss Crawford, whom he was much disposed to admire, speak so freely of her uncle. It did not suit his sense of propriety, and he was silenced, till induced by further smiles and liveliness, to put the matter by for the present” (85). Because he is infatuated with Mary, Edmund overlooks her short comings. Later, when Edmund announces that he wants to become a clergyman, Mary is shocked and proceeds to drill him with questions: “Ordained!” said Mary. Edmund’s intentions to take orders cannot be mentioned without Mary getting upset and trying to dissuade him from his goal Mary “But why are you to be a clergyman? I thought that was always the lot of the youngest, where there were many to choose before him” (116). Despite the conflict, Edmund remains infatuated with Mary. Later in the novel when there is a love scene that Edmund and Mary perform for the play, they are both uncomfortable about rehearsing it together. Mary asks Fanny to perform her role in the play. Ironically, Edmund comes to Fanny’s room to make the same request. He also feels uncomfortable playing the part with Mary. As the play progresses, it is clear that Edmund and Mary are not working out. It becomes increasingly clear that they’re just too different to have an honest, long-term relationship. The example of Edmund’s infatuation with Mary Crawford is Austen’s way of pointing out that infatuation does not always lead to marriage and it is better to find out early that later.
Dr. Michael Williams
ENGL 864: British Literature 1660-1900
June 17, 2014
Infatuation
The theme of infatuation and how it influences the characters and plot throughout Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park is the driving force of the novel. Volume II is the ideal section of the novel to begin this discussion because there are several surprising turns in terms ofnarrative voice, scenes, staging, and play acting.
Before we examine Volume II, it is important to note that Austen lays the foundation for infatuation in Volume I. Mary Crawford, in Chapter 5, is extremely interested in Fanny’s status as a young lady. While it is obvious to the reader that both sisters, Julia and Maria, are infatuated with Henry Crawford, Mary wants to know Fanny’s status because she may prove a possible threat to a rival for the attention of men. The question becomes ‘a threat for whom?’ Mary inquires: “I begin now to understand you all, except Miss Price,” . . . . “Pray, is she out, or is she not?—I am puzzled. —She dined at the parsonage, with the rest of you, which seemed like being out; and yet she says so little, that I can hardly suppose she is” (76). A young woman during this time period would be formally presented to society via some type of ball, and after this debut she would be admitted to social events. Mary’s concern about Fanny being "out" in society means that she may be competition for her in courting young men.
After Austen establishes the theme of infatuation, the plot thickens in Volume II. Here, the author focuses on the treatment of infatuation which focuses more on the art of persuasion using little dialogue. This ‘down-playing’ of dialogue tends to make the reader fail to consider the couples’ relationships rhetorically. Rather, the processes of persuasion that Austen uses allow the characters to understand their own passions and influence the passions, understanding, imagination, and, most importantly, the will of others to act.
One of the best examples of infatuation is Edmund’s obsession with Mary Crawford. Although it is clear that Edmund and Mary are not on the same page, he continues to pursue her. He recognizes early that Mary’s views are so different from his. Austen writes, “Edmund was sorry to hear Miss Crawford, whom he was much disposed to admire, speak so freely of her uncle. It did not suit his sense of propriety, and he was silenced, till induced by further smiles and liveliness, to put the matter by for the present” (85). Because he is infatuated with Mary, Edmund overlooks her short comings.
Later, when Edmund announces that he wants to become a clergyman, Mary is shocked and proceeds to drill him with questions: “Ordained!” said Mary. Edmund’s intentions to take orders cannot be mentioned without Mary getting upset and trying to dissuade him from his goal Mary “But why are you to be a clergyman? I thought that was always the lot of the youngest, where there were many to choose before him” (116). Despite the conflict, Edmund remains infatuated with Mary.
Later in the novel when there is a love scene that Edmund and Mary perform for the play, they are both uncomfortable about rehearsing it together. Mary asks Fanny to perform her role in the play. Ironically, Edmund comes to Fanny’s room to make the same request. He also feels uncomfortable playing the part with Mary.
As the play progresses, it is clear that Edmund and Mary are not working out. It becomes increasingly clear that they’re just too different to have an honest, long-term relationship.
The example of Edmund’s infatuation with Mary Crawford is Austen’s way of pointing out that infatuation does not always lead to marriage and it is better to find out early that later.